SCYA/NWSA Conference
March 20-22 • Long Beach, CA
Conference at a Glance
Conference Registration Closes March 19, 2026
$500 registration, less $45 with your NWSA membership
General Conference Info
- National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) and Southern California Yachting Association (SCYA) are co-hosting the 2026 Women's Sailing Conference in Southern California in collaboration with historic Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC) and Long Beach Women's Sailing Association (LBWSA)
- Keynote: Alli Bell, Taking a Winch Handle to the (Fiber)Glass Ceiling
- Two days of classes with 24 topics to choose from, including four new curated tracks with Certificates of Completion: Take the Helm for novices, Advancing Leadership in Racing, Race Committee, and Advanced Sail Trim + mini-regatta!
- Long Beach Women's Sailing Association will host two fun, social gatherings:
- Friday night reception at a local, women-owned sports bar, WatchMe! Sports Bar
- Saturday night BBQ at Seal Beach Yacht Club (Ticketed Event)
- NWSA AdventureSail fundraiser and Mustang Survival Fashion Show at Sunday Lunch
- Sunday social hour and awards ceremony.
While we do not anticipate foul weather, inclement weather is out of the control of conference organizers. In the event that weather prohibits certain outdoor or on-the-water activities, in-door session will be substituted. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds due to inclement of weather.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Registration $500*: January 16, 2026 through February 18, 2026
Late Registration $575*: February 19, 2026 through March 19, 2026
*NWSA Members receive $45 off rates. To join, see Membership Page.
INSTALLMENT PAYMENT POLICY
We are offering a two-payment installment plan for conference registration as follows:
Installment payment #1: $250 due no later than January 31, 2026.
Installment payment #2: balance due no later than February 28, 2026.
NO REFUNDS available for the two-payment installment option.
Refund Policy and Terms.
Schedule at a Glance
Evening Social 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Reception at a local, women-owned sports bar, WatchMe! Sports Bar
You will be responsible for your own food and drink.
All events are held at the Long Beach Yacht Club, unless otherwise specified.
7:45am - 8:15am Registrants and Instructors Check-in, Breakfast - Regatta Room
8:20am - 8:50am am Opening Remarks - Regatta Room
9:00am - 12:00pm On Water Session 1
9:00am - 10:15am On Land Sessions 1
10:30am - 11:45pm On Land Sessions 2
12:00pm - 1:15pm Lunch, Alli Bell keynote speaker Pool Side
1:30pm - 4:30pm On Water Sessions 2
1:30pm - 2:45pm On Land Sessions 3
3:00pm - 4:15pm On Land Sessions 4
4:30pm - 5:30pm Networking Social Hour Outdoor Area 1
You will be responsible for your own drink. Credit card only.
6:00pm - 9:00pm Conference dinner not included in conference registration- Seal Beach Yacht Club
All events are held at the Long Beach Yacht Club, unless otherwise specified.
7:45am - 8:15am Registrants and Instructors Check-in, Breakfast - Regatta Room
8:20am - 8:50am am Networking - Regatta Room
9:00am - 12pm On Water Session 1
9:00am - 10:15am On Land Sessions 1
10:30am - 11:45pm On Land Sessions 2
12:00pm - 1:15pm Lunch Mustang Fashion show and NWSA AdventureSail Fundraiser Pool Side
1:30pm - 4:30pm On Water Sessions 2
1:30pm - 2:45pm On Land Sessions 3
3:00pm - 4:15pm On Land Sessions 4
4:30pm - 6:30pm Social Hour/Certificates/Trophies Outdoor Area #1
You will be responsible for your own drinks. Credit card only.
Race Committee Track
Take the Helm® Track
Race Committee Track
Advancing Leadership in Racing Track
Anchoring
Docking
Boat Systems
Crew Overboard: prevention and rescue
Electrical System and Batteries
Flooding Control: hands-on damage management
Sailing Knots: made easy and fun
Intro to Navionics: chart your course
First Aid: medical emergencies onboard
Heavy Weather: lighten the load
Boat Systems
Advanced Sail Trim Track + mini regatta
Race Committee Track
Take the Helm® Track
Advanced Navionics: beyond the route
Sailing Knots: made simple and fun!
Avoiding Mishaps and Mayhem
Heavy Weather: lighten the load
Throw a Line: tie needed knots
Crew Overboard: prevention and rescue
Diesel Engine Maintenance
Dinghy Driving
Basic Sail Trim: making the sails do the work
Extend Your Learning
First Aid: medical emergencies onboard
How to Be Good Crew: a how-to guide
Accommodations
LOCAL ACCOMODATIONS:
Long Beach, CA has several options for accommodations. A few nearby hotels are listed below—check Google as there are more options. We recommend checking VRBO and Airbnb as well.
The Pacific Inn
Hampton Inn and Suites
The Bellmont Shore Inn
Ayres Hotel Seal Beach - Cypress
TRANSPORTATION
While there is public transportation, you may find driving or using Uber/Lyft more convenient. Free public parking is available at Long Beach Yacht Club, the primary conference venue. Free parking is available at Seal Beach Yacht club.
Public Transportation
Long Beach Transit
VISITING BY BOAT
To get a mooring or slip in Long Beach harbors (Alamitos Bay, Shoreline, Rainbow), you must contact the
City of Long Beach Marine Bureau directly, especially for short-term guest stays, booking up to 30 days ahead for guest slips and providing insurance/registration. We recommend bringing a dinghy for greater ease getting around the harbor.
Yacht club members may enjoy reciprocal privileges at other clubs in the harbor. Here's a list of local clubs and links to their visitor information pages:
Shoreline Yacht Club
Alamitos Bay Yacht Club
Seal Beach Yacht Club
Long Beach Yacht Club
- Saturday dinner tickets are $50 and includes a drink ticket Friday evening social gathering at WatchMe! Sports Bar
- Saturday breakfast and lunch at conference
- Saturday dinner tickets at Seal Beach Yacht Club available for $50, includes a drink ticket
- Sunday breakfast and lunch at conference
Support the Conference
We are so grateful for the continued support of conference sponsors. Each year we are able to offer more opportunities for companies, organizations, brands and individuals to reach a targeted audience of women sailing enthusiasts. See our 2026 list of Sponsor Benefits on our conference support information section by clicking here.
The Women's Sailing Foundation will hold an NWSA AdventureSail and Scholarship Fundraiser on Saturday. Silent Auction and Raffle items of all nautical interest are welcome such as art, jewelry, sailing vacations, sailing school certificates, nautical gear, books and more. Donor names will be acknowledged on the conference website.
Have an item to donate to help raise funds at our raffle or silent auction? You may click here to get to the donor form.
Thank You to Our 2026 Conference Sponsors
Master Sponsor
Admiral Sponsors
Skipper Sponsors
Crew Sponsors
Deck Sponsors
2026 In-Kind Conference Supporters
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